tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398576961242950632.post7566422598377115754..comments2023-05-13T09:26:57.272-04:00Comments on web...blah...log: holoblomo day 26: underneathStephanie D'Abruzzo: blogmastrix, actress, and puppet-ette...http://www.blogger.com/profile/16718435768988281667noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398576961242950632.post-33564813890835638612011-12-01T11:45:11.309-05:002011-12-01T11:45:11.309-05:00George---
I appreciate your thoughtful comments o...George---<br /><br />I appreciate your thoughtful comments on this.<br /><br />I think there is a big difference between the Muppets appearing on talk shows, where they should indeed be treated as unique, individual characters, and an actor's performance in a film or television narrative. Of course the Muppet characters are real entities. That's what makes them special. I would never deny the characters their identities. Whenever Piggy showed up on Regis, I would never expect nor want Regis to pull Frank or Eric up off the floor to say, "Let's give this guy a hand!" And I don't even care if the puppeteer's names don't show up in those talk show credits. That's a different thing entirely.<br /><br />I'm talking about credit for the films. Jim Henson's name was on those movie posters along with the other Muppet Performers in all of the other Muppet movies, and even when the characters' names showed up on "The Muppet's Christmas Carol" and "Muppet Treasure Island" posters, the puppeteers' names did as well. And the characters were only listed because Kermit, Piggy, et al were technically "playing" other characters - cute, yes, but in an appropriate way. <br /><br />And you're right - Jim Henson was adamant in protecting the integrity of the characters, but that didn't mean he couldn't show or discuss the goings-on behind the scenes in specials and documentaries about "The Muppet Show," "Fraggle Rock," and "The Jim Henson Hour." It didn't make the characters any less magical or cute, and it didn't ruin the illusion when they would turn around the next day and appear on the Today Show. <br /><br />Also, Jim Henson, when talking to Johnny Carson, or Mike Douglas, or Michael Parkinson, would always acknowledge the work of the puppeteers, and talk about Frank Oz's performances as Miss Piggy and Bert and Fozzie. I'm not going to attempt to get into Jim Henson's head, but all evidence points to him making sure the public knew who was ultimately responsible for bringing those characters to life, and that includes the builders, workshop folk and writers as well. <br /><br />I believe - and again, not trying to get into his head - his comments about keeping the puppeteer separate from the character meant that Kermit wasn't going to look down and start talking to Jim, or talk about Jim in interviews. You'll note that the few times this is brought up ("The Muppets Celebrate Jim Henson," "Henson's Place," or when Jim Henson was inducted into the TV Hall of Fame), where the puppet is asked about Jim Henson, it's handled delicately, but never overtly. The puppeteer and character weren't intended to have the sort of relationship that say, a ventriloquist would. <br /><br />And, please know that I'm not trying to one-up you, but at the end of the Tonight Show that was hosted by Kermit the Frog in 1979, while there are no credits for the performers in the crawl, as the show ends and the credits roll, Kermit (as performed by Jim) does give a vocal shout-out to "all the guys under the Muppets" and rattles off all of their names (except his own). He prized these guys. He wanted them to get at least some recognition whenever he could, and always when it was appropriate to do so.<br /><br />I hope you understand the distinction I was trying to make here. <br /><br />Thanks again, George, for engaging me in this, and forgive the lengthy comment. I may re-print it as a full-on post, but I wanted to address it directly first.<br /><br />---StephanieStephanie D'Abruzzo: blogmastrix, actress, and puppet-ette...https://www.blogger.com/profile/16718435768988281667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398576961242950632.post-84904279010727358882011-12-01T10:50:53.759-05:002011-12-01T10:50:53.759-05:00An interesting discussion, but I recall an old int...An interesting discussion, but I recall an old interview from Jim Henson that he made it a point to maintain the "illusion" of the characters being separate from their actors (puppeteers) as much as possible. So this seems to be a continuation of his desire on this course.<br /><br />Take a look at the Kermit appearances on the Tonight Show (with Johnny Carson)... most were just "Kermit", occasionally "Kermit and Jim Henson" (but NOT "Jim Henson as Kermit", these were instances where the two actually appeared as unique guests that interacted with each other)... or look at the list of guest hosts of the Tonight Show, you will see a listing for "Kermit and Miss Piggy", but no mention of "Jim Henson and Frank Oz".<br /><br />Yes, maybe in the modern age it's a bit "too cute" to treat muppets as real characters, interviewing them on morning shows and radio talk shows and red carpets, but the world is pretty short of "cute" these days.Georgehttp://www.myhamilton.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398576961242950632.post-89618001362620780562011-11-27T23:32:40.377-05:002011-11-27T23:32:40.377-05:00Hey Stephanie,
Me and the family saw the Muppets ...Hey Stephanie,<br /><br />Me and the family saw the Muppets n the 23rd and we loved it!<br /><br />I always give thought to the performers whenever I watch a Muppet, Sesame or Henson production and you guys are all great and talented performers. and I do mean performers because you guys aren't just puppeteers when you do your job. You're also an actor, a singer and a comedian when you do this. You are absolutely right, if it weren't for great performers like you, Steve, Dave, Bill, Eric, Matt, David, Kevin, Marty, Fran, Caroll and Leslie the Muppets are nothing more the pieces of foam and cloth with plastic eyes!<br /><br />JesseJesse Olivernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2398576961242950632.post-33211426151640619402011-11-26T15:06:54.375-05:002011-11-26T15:06:54.375-05:00is it weird that I was literally thinking the othe...is it weird that I was literally thinking the other day what kind of opinion you have on this?Mysnoreply@blogger.com